Today health bosses are advising people living in south Durham to avoid eating any cold pre-cooked meats from a local butchers.

To date, seven confirmed and one suspected cases of E.coli O157 have been reported in the last week in both adults and children. Three of the children are now receiving treatment in hospital.

Local residents in the south of County Durham and North Tees are being advised not to eat any cold pre-cooked meats and savouries bought since June 25 from Robinson’s butchers and caterers in Wingate and Billingham.

The precautionary advice has been issued as an investigation begins into the possible source of an outbreak.

Environmental health teams from both County Durham and Stockton councils are working closely with local health protection experts from Public Health England after a sudden increase in reports of the infection in the area.

Dr Deb Wilson, consultant in health protection and chair of the outbreak control, for Public Health England, said: “The source of this outbreak is not yet known. However, several of the affected people are known to have eaten cooked meat products bought or supplied by Robinson’s butcher shops in either Wingate or Billingham.

“Although our investigation is at a very early stage, as a precautionary measure we are advising anyone who has bought cooked meats or savouries from Robinson’s butchers in Wingate or Billingham since 25 June, and still has them in their fridge or freezer, not to eat them and to throw them out immediately.

“The owner and staff of Robinson’s butchers and caterers are co-operating fully with the investigation and have agreed to discard all ready to eat food from both premises while the investigation continues.

“The premises have also agreed to carry out a deep clean of both premises and reinforce good hygiene practices.